3 minute read

Stravagante put up an eye-catching performance to win the first race on Investec Derby Day, the Investec Private Banking Handicap over 10 furlongs.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by Ryan Moore, the son of Rip Van Winkle came home three and a quarter lengths clear of Gibeon.

Owner Michael Tabor said: "It's a great way to start Derby Day, couldn't be better! You would have to respect Jack Hobbs today - I suppose this horse must have improved considerably. He is obviously a good horse and we will see what happens now with him.

"Michael [Stoute] was very enthusiastic about his chance today. He gave us every encouragement that he would win. I was just hoping that he would win today. He looked a promising horse last year and we will see what happens now.

"You look at what Aidan [O'Brien] achieved yesterday, winning a race not for us but with a so-called lesser light [Qualify in the Investec Oaks] and it is quite incredible. I am delighted for Aidan - obviously we wanted David's horse [Legatissimo] to win but that's racing, isn't it?

"I had no input in what Ryan [Moore] would be riding in the Derby. I wasn't surprised that he chose Giovanni Canaletto because I think that he is our number one horse. I think perhaps, in an ideal world, we would have liked a bit longer with him - his preparation is possibly a little rushed - but I think that he is a very good horse."

When asked whether Stravagante was an exciting prospect, Tabor said: "I haven't really thought about it, but on that performance he looked very decent and he might be a bit better than we'd hoped.

"We didn't see the best of him at Sandown [April 24, where he finished third to Jack Hobbs], he slipped on the bend I think and once a horse's loses its momentum... And the winner was Jack Hobbs, who could win the Derby. I'm not saying he will, who knows, but he's a big runner, isn't he?"